Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Lazy aka Smart Gardening

Working in the backyard this morning I was thinking of myself as a lazy gardener. I chose plants that will self seed, spread easily, require little care, or can be easily divided. Plants that can be set on or in the dirt and will root are particular favorites, like sedum and succulents. I am also a cheap gardener, so all of these things go hand in hand with spending very little money on the yard. Don't get me wrong, I love to buy plants, and may even go plant shopping later today, but that is rarely in our budget. Most of the plants in our backyard were transplanted from the front bed or from my parents house.

After a few hours of yard work and feeling hot and sweaty, I realized I'm not lazy at all but smart!

I have learned which plants thrive with little care and reward me despite being ignored.

Fresh transplants, that do the work so I don't have to.

The front garden is pretty self sufficient, it just needs pruning now and then to keep it under control.

I have been giving my efforts to the back yard and though it is getting quite hot and humid already there is still so much more that I want to achieve. I figure if I make it look pretty at least I can admire the view from inside once it's truly too hot to go out there.
The veggie garden does not fit with my cheapo gardener mentality and that is why it gets ignored some years, this being one of them.

I thought I would give you a list of plants that I have used and which thrive in my garden and fit my criteria.

1 comment:

I too try to be a cheap gardener. My Mom has beautiful gardens and gives me cuttings from her plants. Then I only buy things that come back every year. (I also have to buy plants deer don't eat, it's a challenge but fun.) And this year I divided our daises, tick seed, and lilly of the valley and put them in more spots all over the yard. It's so much fun when one plant that you bought turns into so many!

About Me

I grew up in a family of crafts people, with a fiber artist mother and a woodworking father. My maternal grandparents were also both crafty, always making things and tending garden. This family, with a make it yourself attitude, and home filled with handmade objects and furnishings has had a lifelong impact on me. While I no longer have time for much jewelry making I continue to find creative outlets via sewing, knitting, baking, gardening and so on. I love to share my creative endeavors with you.